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Report questions New York state trooper stun gun use

Posted:
03/17/2013 04:10:20 PM EDT

Updated:
03/18/2013 04:01:14 PM EDT

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (AP) -- A newspaper investigation has found that 70 percent of people shocked by stun guns under a state police field test of the device were mentally ill, suicidal or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and a quarter were not combative.

The Poughkeepsie Journal reports its review of 91 Taser reports from December 2010 through April 2012 showed troopers shocked a dozen people who were fleeing or didn't pose a threat. U.S. Department of Justice guidelines discourage such use.

State police spokeswoman Darcy Wells said all Taser uses under the statewide pilot program have been evaluated by the agency and ruled justified. She said 800 troopers have been trained to carry the agency's 190 Tasers.

There are no mandatory rules in New York that govern the use of stun guns.

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